Book Review “Raging Heat” by Richard Castle

Author: Richard Castle
Series: Nikki Heat (Book 6)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Kingswell
Release Date: September 16, 2014

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When I think about “Castle”, I always flash back to 2009, where the first season only had 10 episodes and a slim chance of getting renewed. Luckily ABC made the right now as the show is entering its seventh season already, which is a major accomplishment for a TV show. It also developed two fantastic book series around the shows fictional character, Nikki Heat and Derrick Storm. “Raging Heat” is the sixth book in the Nikki Heat series and seriously, I can’t believe it but this series is not slowing down at all. These books are fresh and each are literally unable to be put down once you start.

Official Synopsis: In New York Times Bestselling author Richard Castle’s newest novel, an illegal immigrant falls from the sky and NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat’s investigation into his death quickly captures the imagination of her boyfriend the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Jameson Rook. When he decides to work the case with Heat as his next big story, Nikki is at first happy to have him ride along. Yes, she must endure Rook’s usual wild conspiracy speculations and adolescent wisecracks, but after reuniting following his recent assignment abroad, she’s glad for the entertainment, the chance to bounce ideas, and just to be close to him again and feel the old spark rekindle. But when Rook’s inquiry concludes that Detective Heat has arrested the wrong man for the murder, everything changes.

I also just heard word that there are plans for a Derrick Storm spin-off series, I think that would be amazing. Hint hint though, don’t forget my girl now Nikki Heat, that would make a fantastic series as well. When you are reading these books, they really are so visual. I think that is since it comes from the writers of the TV series. They write it so well that they literally jump off the pages. After the cliffhanger of season six, I cannot wait to pick up with the next season in the next few weeks. What I also love about Richard Castle books is that I know that when each season ends we get a Derrick Storm book and when the season begins we get a new Nikki Heat book, so keep them coming guys!

 

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Feel the Heat When “#EM3” Hits Redbox April 15th

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Sizzling thriller #EM3 (Eenie Meenie Miney Moe), chronicling the tense journey of a drug dealer, comes to Redbox on April 15, 2014.

It is Miami Beach, but it may well be LA, Chicago, NY, Atlanta, Dallas, or anyone’s backyard, where hustlers play and the game has no rules.

Featuring electrifying performances by the likes of Andres Dominguez, Hangover Part 3’s Oscar Torre and International Music Artist Ky-Mani Marley, #EM3 is a sexy, thrilling, and hip drama that serves as a reminder that every choice has its rewards and consequences.

When Raul (Dominguez), Miami tow truck driver with a secret car thief habit, builds a network to fence his stolen goods, his criminal franchise prospers. But, when he and his new neighbor Nikki (Belkys Galvez) spark a spur of the moment relationship, it sets off a deeper affection that begins to dismantle Raul’s finely tuned conspiracy ring. Raul on his quest for a “High Score” makes an important choice that has an unexpected outcome with never imagined consequences affecting everyone around him including the only love of his life.

Called “wilder and crazier than anything you might have imagined” by the Miami Herald, #EM3 combines a sizzling, sweat-inducing story that plays to the beat of some of today’s hottest artists, including Thirstin Howl the 3rd, Otto Von Schirach, Mayday and Miami Beat Wave.


 

 

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CD Review: Reverend Horton Heat “REV”

Reverend Horton Heat
“REV”
Victory Records
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The high octane psycho-billy rebels know as Reverend Horton Heat are back with their 11th studio album simply titled “REV”. Though it has been four years since the bands previous release “Laughin’ & Cryin’ with the Reverend Horton Heat” the 3 piece band from Texas have not missed a beat. The album which is the band’s first since signing with Victory Records features 13 tracks which are very reminiscent of the bands early material.

Having been a fan of the Reverend since the early 90’s I was pretty excited when I started to hear grumblings that the band was working on a new album. Little did I know how surprised I was going to be when I was finally able to listen to it. Classic RHH all the way! The album wastes no kicking the tires and lighting the fires as it blasts right out of the gate with the instrumental track “Victory Lap” which showcases the always impressive instrumental skills of Jim “The Rev Heath”, Jimbo Wallace and Scott Churilla.

As the album progresses you hear everything from classic rockabilly to country and all stops in between. The song “Schizoid” is vintage RHH through and through from its subject matter to the Rev’s signature “yeahs”. The track “My Hat” is the perfect dance number for those looking to swing the night away while the album’s first single “Let Me Teach You How to Eat” goes straight for the throat in blazing style. Don’t let a four year gap between albums scare you away as “REV” is all killer and no filler. Even if you never thought about buying an RHH album in the past this one is a great starting place as it does a great job of capturing all of the bands style and sound.

Track Listing:
1.) Victory Lap
2.) Smell of Gasoline
3.) Never Gonna Stop It
4.) Zombie Dumb
5.) Spooky Boots
6.) Schizoid
7.) Scenery Going By
8.) My Hat
9.) Let Me Teach You How to Eat
10.) Mad Mad Heart
11.) Longest Gonest Man
12.) Hardscrabble Woman
13.) Chasing Rainbows

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Blu-ray Review “The Heat”

Actors: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demian Bichir, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport
Directors: Paul Feig
Rated: R (Restricted) / Unrated
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: October 15, 2013
Run Time: 117 / 120 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

When I first saw a trailer for the “The Heat”, I thought it looked alright but I wasn’t planning to run out and see it first weekend. Then the positive responses starting coming out and people were calling this “The Funniest Movie of the Year”. I thought that McCarthy had run her course and was starting to get on my nerves but that thought was quickly debunked about her role in “Identity Thief”. So I gave in and watched “The Heat” and it was quite funny, in fact very funny, but it is also a felt just a little too predictable for me to make it perfect. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy are epic together though. I love the female team-up and these each play so well off each other. Definitely worth checking out and get ready to laugh!

Official Premise: Oscar Winner Sandra Bullock and Oscar Nominee Melissa McCarthy team up in this outrageously funny comedy from the director of Bridesmaids, Paul Feig. Uptight FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) and foul-mouthed Boston cop Shannon Mullins (McCarthy) couldn’t be more incompatible. But when they join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected…buddies.

Fox delivered “The Heat” as a combo pack included Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy. The Blu-ray contains two cuts of the film as well. The theatrical cut runs 117 minutes, while the unrated clocks in at 120 minutes. So there is nothing to get terribly excited about if you don’t watching in the extended cut. I was just happy the film was rated R to being with since they were able to make it edgier and that let to funnier moments. The 1080p transfer presented in an 2.40:1 aspect ratio works with the films mix of action/comedy. The same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, which is very effective with not only the dialogue but also the action.

The special features are quite impressive and contain a lot of good short features. We start with “Welcome to the Bonus Features”, which features Paul Feig enjoying a good fart joke. Next up, we have eight featurettes, which include a funny intro from Feig. “Mullins Family Fun” included about ten minutes of deleted scenes involving Shannon’s family. “Acting Master Class” features the cast engaging in funny jokes. “Let’s Get Physical” are more bloopers, same goes for “Von Bloopers”. “Police Brutality” and “Supporting Cast Cavalcade” are more outtakes. Rounding out is “Over and Out” is Feig closing out with yet another fart joke. If all those outtakes and gag reels weren’t enough there is still more in “All the Stuff We Had to Take Out but Still Think is Funny”, which includes more Deleted Scenes, Extended Scenes and Alternate Scenes. “How The Heat Was Made” is a great (and only) behind-the-scenes featurette.

There are four commentary track included. The first with with Paul Feig and is only available on the Unrated Version of the film but it is a blast and very funny as well. The next track is with Melissa McCarthy, Paul Feig, Katie Dippold, Mike McDonald, Adam Ray, Jesse Henderson. Again this one is a laugh riot and this one though is only available on the Theatrical Version. The next track features “Some of the Mullins Family” and Feig, also only available on the Theatrical Version. Lastly is a track featuring the original lineup from “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, which is the best since I love MST3K and it was great to have the gang together. This was very clever and I have to give the team kudos for coming up with it.

 

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Celebrate “National Sarcastic Awareness Month” with “The Heat” available now on Digital HD and on Blu-ray and DVD, October 15th

Did you know that October is “National Sarcastic Awareness Month”? Really! And no one does sarcasm better than the ladies of The Heat, available now on Digital HD and on Blu-ray and DVD, October 15th.

Since we all know that sarcasm is practically unheard of online, check out some fun and instructional “The Heat” eCards below and let Ashburn and Mullins show you how it’s done. Feel free to share with your friends and family as well 😉

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Book Review “Deadly Heat” by Richard Castle

Author: Richard Castle
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: September 17, 2013

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who loves ABC’s “Castle”, raise your hand! It is easily one of my favorite shows of all-time. It is also one of those shows that you are simply not able to turn off even repeat. This show has expanded well beyond just being a high-rated critically successful TV series to a New York Times Bestseller book series as well. “Richard Castle”, who is played by Nathan Fillion (“Firefly”) in the show, has created this continuing universe with the character Nikki Heat, which was spun off from the show itself. “Deadly Heat” is the fifth novel in series which focuses on NYPD homicide detective Nikki Heat and journalist Jameson Rook, based on the characters Castle and Beckett. You might wonder how long can they keep this going before it gets old but this series has never been hotter. I thought that “Frozen Heat” was a great title but it just seems to get better and better.

Official Premise: Determined to find justice for her mother, top NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat continues to pursue the elusive former CIA station chief who ordered her execution more than a decade ago. For the hunt, Nikki teams once again with her romantic partner, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Jameson Rook, and their quest for the old spy and the motive behind the past murder unearths an alarming terror plot, which is anything but ancient history. It is lethal. It is now. And it has already entered its countdown phase. Complicating Heat’s mission to bring the rogue spy to justice and thwart the looming terror event, a serial killer begins menacing the Twentieth Precinct, and her homicide squad is under pressure to stop him, and soon. Known for his chilling stealth, the diabolical murderer not only singles out Nikki as the exclusive recipient of his taunting messages, he names her as his next victim.

The book is such an easy read and if you are a fan of the show you will feel like you are playing out an episode in your head. The book is action-packed, thrilling, sexy and just plain fun. One thing I like about this series is that it does have continuity from the past books but you are still able to pick it up and read without having read the prior four books and can still enjoy. So get ready to laugh yet at the same time bite those nails as you race to turn the pages on this book.  I would also be surprised if you are even able to put this book down, as I literally finished it in one sitting.  It is just one of those that nothing could get my attention away from it while I was reading.  I can’t wait to see what “Richard Castle” comes up with next in this Nikki Heat series and also I would hope to see more novels in the Derrick Storm series as well. The future seems very plentiful for this series.

 

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Film Review “The Heat”

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy and Jane Curtain
Directed by: Paul Feig
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hr 57 mins
20th Century Fox

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Bullock) is a strictly by-the-book person. Confident in her talents, her demeanor doesn’t win her friends among her fellow agents. She’s such a loner that her only friend is her cat, Pumpkin. Check that. Pumpkin is her neighbor’s cat. With a promotion in mind she heads to Boston to help track down a drug trafficker. There she finds herself saddled with a partner, Shannon Mullins (McCarthy). She’s one of Boston’s finest though she’s about as popular with her co-workers as Ashburn. She also has popularity problems with her family. Sadly, her brother Jason (Michael Rapaport) is in prison. Even sadder? She put him there!

A high octane comedy with plenty of firepower, “The Heat” is a buddy film you’d expect to see a couple of A-list actors in. And you do. Only this time, instead of Sly and Arnold or Chris and Jackie or Mel and Danny (ok, you’re probably not going to see Mel and Danny together again) you get Sandy and Missy! And both are at the top of their comedy game here.

It’s almost fitting that in this season of tornadoes Hollywood releases a new film with Melissa McCarthy in a starring role. Since she hit it big with her Oscar nominated turn in “Bridesmaids” she has blown through multiplexes like the F-5 in “Twister.” She is truly a force of nature. Here she is given the chance to take no prisoners and she doesn’t disappoint. Bullock is just as good, especially Shannon begins to school her on the ways of the street. Supporting work by Rapaport and Marlon Wayans is solid. Look for Tom Wilson (Biff from “Back to the Future”) as Officer Mullins’ boss. And what a treat it is to see Jane Curtain on the big screen. One of the greatest comediennes of the past three-plus decades, it’s almost as if she’s passing the torch to one of the greatest new comediennes on the scene.

The script is sharply funny, with the contrasting styles (what is this, “Training Day?,” Bullock asks as McCarthy attempts to bond with a drug dealer) of both leads front and center. First time feature screenwriter Katie Dippold honed her talent writing for “MAD-tv” and “Parks and Recreation.” She apparently caught the studio’s eye as “The Heat 2” has already been announced. Sorry gentlemen, looks like it’s time for the ladies to rule!

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Blu-ray Review “Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Contemporary (Mean Streets / The Untouchables / Goodfellas / Heat / The Departed)”

Starring: Robert De Niro, Kevin Corrigan, Paul Herman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Costner, Al Pacino
Directors: Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, Brian De Palma
Distributed by: Warner Home Video
Release Date: May 21, 2013
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Running Time: 697 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love a good kick-ass gangster film? “Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Contemporary” includes a collection of gangster films from the early 1970’s through 2000’s including “Mean Streets (1973)”, “The Untouchables (1987)”, “Goodfellas (1990)”, “Heat (1995)”, “The Departed (2006)”. In the last couple of decades they are definitely some of the best. I am also a big fan of films like “Casino”, which was not included. I thought that “Heat” was good but a little overrated, but maybe that is from my dislike of Michael Mann. “Goodfellas” is one of my all-time favorites. This release is great if you do not own these films prior since there is nothing new here in terms of content besides a 32-page book featuring images and facts about each film.

These five films all comes with impressive 1080p transfers. Since “The Departed” is the most recent, it also looks and sounds the best with its PCM 5.1 audio track. “Mean Streets” comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track, which is great, while “Goodfellas” comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track which is the worst of the bunch. They both come with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. “The Untouchables” has a kicking DTS Digital Surround 6.1 track, as well as a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX track. “Heat” comes with a nice Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track and also a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. So these films range all over the place. All deliver for each film though, nothing terrible.

“The Untouchables” Official Premise: The critics and public agree. Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables is a must-see masterpiece – glorious, fierce, larger-than-life depiction of the mob warlord who ruled Prohibition-era Chicago… and the law enforcer who vowed to bring him down. This classic confrontation between good and evil and stars Kevin Costner as federal agent Eliot Ness, Robert De Niro as gangland kingpin Al Capone and Sean Connery as Malone, the cop who teaches Ness how to beat the mob: shoot fast and shoot first.

“Mean Streets” Official Premise: The future is set for Tony and Michael, owning a neighborhood bar and making deals in the mean streets of New York city’s Little Italy. For Charlie, the future is less clearly defined. A small-time hood, he works for his uncle making collections and reclaiming bad debts. He’s probably too nice to succeed. In love with a woman his uncle disapproves of (because of her epilepsy) and a friend of her cousin, Johnny Boy, a near psychotic whose trouble-making threatens them all, he can’t reconcile opposing values. A failed attempt to escape (to Brooklyn) moves them all a step closer to a bitter, almost preordained future.

“Goodfellas” Official Premise: Henry Hill is a small time gangster, who takes part in a robbery with Jimmy Conway and Tommy De Vito, two other gangsters who have set their sights a bit higher. His two partners kill off everyone else involved in the robbery, and slowly start to climb up through the hierarchy of the Mob. Henry, however, is badly affected by his partners success, but will he stoop low enough to bring about the downfall of Jimmy and Tommy?

“Heat” Official Premise: Neil McCauley is a thief — an expert thief. His philosophy in life – become attached to nothing in life that you can’t walk away from in 30 seconds if you spot the “Heat” around the corner. His crew of criminals is a high-tech outfit pulling off professional jobs that impress even the likes of Detective Vincent Hanna. But Hanna, a man driven through life only by his work, becomes obsessed, at the expense of his private life, with bringing McCauley down. As McCauley’s crew prepare for the score of a lifetime, and Hanna’s team tries to bring him in, the two find that they are challenged by the greatest minds on the opposite side of the law that either one has ever encountered.

“The Departed” Official Premise: Two just-graduated officers from Massachusetts State Police Academy follow opposite sides of the law: Billy Costigan is assigned to work undercover with the Irish mobster Frank Costello to get evidences to arrest him. His true identity is only known by his superiors Dignam and Oliver Queenan. The protégée of Costello, Colin Sullivan, is promoted in the Massachusetts State Police and is the informer of Costello. Each police officer gives his best effort trying to disclose the identity of the other “rat”.

The special features are not as impressive as the “Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics” release since these films have been released on Blu-ray prior and are missing quite a bit of there previously released extras. “Mean Streets” comes with a vintage featurette “Back on the Block”. “The Untouchables” comes with an extra called “The Script, The Cast”. “Goodfellas” comes with two commentary tracks with cast and crew and a featurette “Cop and Crook”. “Heat” comes with eleven additional scenes. Lastly “The Departed” also comes with nine additional scenes with intros by director Marty Scorsese.

The “Ultimate Gangster Collection: Classics” and “Ultimate Gangster Collection: Contemporary” are available on Blu-ray 5/21

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Blu-ray Review “Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics (Little Caesar / The Public Enemy / The Petrified Forest / White Heat)”

Starring: James Cagney, Leslie Howard, Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, Virginia Mayo, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Directors: Archie Mayo, William A. Wellman, Mervyn LeRoy, Raoul Walsh
Distributed by: Warner Bros
Release Date: May 21, 2013
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 357 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of stars

Who can help but not love the classic B&W gangster films. The following films make up this “Ultimate Gangsters Collection: Classics” – “Little Caesar (1931)”, “The Public Enemy (1931)”, “The Petrified Forest (1936)”, “White Heat (1949)”.  These are all great films that I have seen many times and never grow tired watching.  Whenever I think “The Public Enemy”, I am transported to the Disney’s Hollywood Studios on The Great Movie Ride, one of my favorites.  These films are what made gangster films popular and paved the way for today’s films. If you are a looking for a great place to be transported to the origin of the gangster film then look no further than this Blu-ray release.

All of these films are appearing on Blu-ray for the first time ever, as part of Warner Bros. 90th Anniversary celebration.  Each of these films will also be available on May 21st individually on Blu-ray. But this box set collection is quite a think a beauty.  All the film comes in a nice slipcase and includes an additional 32-page book with images and facts about each of the film. The 1080p transfers are very impressive for these classic films the latest dating back to almost 80 years ago. They are all presented with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The audio tracks included are also DTS-HD Master Audio Mono for each film, which work very well. The dialogues are clear and just are held up so well.

“Little Caesar (1931)” Official Premise: The ambitious criminal Rico moves from the country to the big city in the east and joins Sam Vettori’s gang with his friend Joe Massara. Sooner he becomes the leader of the gangsters and known as Little Caesar, and gets closer to the great mobster Pete Montana. In a robbery of a night-club, he kills the Crime Commissioner Alvin McClure and his pal Joe witnesses the murder. When Rico orders Joe to leave his mistress Olga Strassoff, she takes a serious decision.

“The Public Enemy (1931)” Official Premise: Tom Powers and Matt Doyle are best friends and fellow gangsters, their lives frowned upon by Tom’s straight laced brother, Mike, and Matt’s straight laced sister, Molly. From their teen-aged years into young adulthood, Tom and Matt have an increasingly lucrative life, bootlegging during the Prohibition era. But Tom in particular becomes more and more brazen in what he is willing to do, and becomes more obstinate and violent against those who either disagree with him or cross him. When one of their colleagues dies in a freak accident, a rival bootlegging faction senses weakness among Tom and Matt’s gang, which is led by Paddy Ryan. A gang war ensues, resulting in Paddy suggesting that Tom and Matt lay low. But because of Tom’s basic nature, he decides instead to take matters into his own hands.

“The Petrified Forest (1936)” Official Premise: Gabby lives and works at her dads small diner out in the desert. She can’t stand it and wants to go and live with her mother in France. Along comes Alan, a broke man with no will to live, who is traveling to see the pacific, and maybe to drown in it. Meanwhile Duke Mantee a notorious killer and his gang is heading towards the diner where Mantee plan on meeting up with his girl.

“White Heat (1949)” Official Premise: Cody Jarrett is the sadistic leader of a ruthless gang of thieves. Afflicted by terrible headaches and fiercely devoted to his ‘Ma,’ Cody is a volatile, violent, and eccentric leader. Cody’s top henchman wants to lead the gang and attempts to have an ‘accident’ happen to Cody, while he is running the gang from in jail. But Cody is saved by an undercover cop, who thereby befriends him and infiltrates the gang. Finally, the stage is set for Cody’s ultimate betrayal and downfall, during a big heist at a chemical plant.

These “Classics” each come with their own set of extras.  “Little Caesar (1931)” comes with a commentary by film historian Robert Sklar. Leonard Maltin Hosts Warner Night at the Movies 1931 with Newsreel, Spencer Tracy Short The Hard Guy, Cartoon Lady Play Your Mandolin and Theatrical Trailers. There is also a featurette “Little Caesar: End of Rico, Beginning of the Antihero” included. “The Public Enemy (1931)” includes a commentary by film historian Richard B. Jewell. Leonard Maltin Hosts Warner Night at the Movies 1931 with Newsreel, Comedy Short The Eyes Have It, Cartoon Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! and Theatrical Trailers.  There is also a featurette “Beer and Blood: Enemies of the Public” included.

“The Petrified Forest (1936)” includes a commentary by Bogart biographer Eric Lax. Leonard Maltin Hosts Warner Night at the Movies 1936 with Newsreel, Musical Short Rhythmitis, Cartoon The Coo Coo Nut Grove and Theatrical Trailers. There is also a featurette “The Petrified Forest: Menace in the Desert” included and an Audio-Only Bonus: 1/7/1940 Gulf Screen Theater Broadcast. Lastly “White Heat (1949)” includes a commentary by Film Historian Drew Casper. Leonard Maltin Hosts Warner Night at the Movies 1949 with Newsreel, Comedy Short So You Think You’re Not Guilty, Cartoon Homeless Hare and Theatrical Trailers.  There is also a featurette “White Heat: Top of the World” included.

If all that is not enough there is still more.  There is a bonus DVD included with yet another feature-length documentary called “The Public Enemies: The Golden Age of The Gangster Film”.  Even though this is just on DVD, it is still a must-watch if you are a fan of this genre and only makes this release worth every penny.

The “Ultimate Gangster Collection: Classics” and “Ultimate Gangster Collection: Contemporary” are available on Blu-ray 5/21

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Film Review “Java Heat”

Starring: Kellan Lutzm, Mickey Rourke, Ario Bayu
Directed By: Conor Allyn
Distributed by: IFC Films
Rating: R
Running time: 103 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Plain and simple, what drew me to “Java Heat” was the film’s stars, Kellan Lutz (“The Twilight Saga”) and Mickey Rourke (“The Wrestler”, “Iron Man 2”).  This film reunites the two actors after their roles in the film “Immortals”. “Java Heat” is a decent action thriller. The shooting locations are quite impressive as it was shot on location in Java, Indonesia. There is some impressive cinematography and it really takes you into the heart of Java.

“Java Heat” opens during the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Indonesia. The film centers around, Jake (Lutz), a reckless American who finds himself intertwined in a murder of the country’s Sultana.  While looking to take down the terrorists, he teams up with a Muslim cop (Indonesian star Ario Bayu) to stop a terrorist mastermind (Rourke).

Kellan Lutz really gets a chance to step  out from the shadow in “The Twilight Saga” and show what he is made of. He was able to take the lead in this action film and deliver. He also recently was announced as the lead role in “Hercules 3D”, so I am really looking forward to that as well.  Mickey Rourke plays himself basically with a different, not very impressive, accent. He pops in here and there as the main baddie but doesn’t really do much for the film besides lend his name. Good action, decent story. Worth checking out.

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